AK Desai is new top money man for Fla GOP

St Petersburg health insurance executive Akshay "A.K." Desai, a veteran Republican fundraiser who most recently focused on Rick Perry's campaign, is the new finance chairman of the state GOP, succeeding Jacksonville real estate developer John Rood as the party's top money-raiser. Dr. Desai is chairman and CEO of Universal Health Care Group, Inc, which he founded in 2002 along with American Managed Care, LLC. He has been a member of the Florida State Board of Education since 2007 and has served on the Florida Council of 100 since 2010. He previously served as a Member of the Florida State Board of Governors from 2005-2007 and as Commissioner and Chairman of the Health Committee on the White House Commission on Asian Americans & Pacific Islanders from 2005-2008.

“A.K. is a tireless advocate for Florida and for our Republican party," said Gov. Rick Scott. "RPOF will be well served by his dedication and experience."

"On behalf of all of Florida's Republicans, I am grateful that Dr. Desai has agreed to accept this crucial role," said RPOF's Chairman, Lenny Curry. "In this election year we need the resources for victory, and Dr. Desai's long history of work for the state and our party make him a proven leader. A.K and I are ready to roll up our sleeves and win."

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